Reed had to leave their away fixture against Sawbridgeworth with a frustrating draw in a game in which Reed had shown complete dominance, but were unable to pick off the two remaining wickets they needed for a win. With Peter Baker out with his broken thumb the job of captain went to all rounder Alan Ward, who won the toss and elected to bat first. Reed’s in form batsman Paul Garrott once again got Reed off to a good start and made a partnership of 77 with John Kershaw before falling for 34.
Kershaw then made another partnership with George Garrott both of whom played impressive innings, keeping out the good balls and punishing the bad balls by sending them to boundary. Both made half centuries, Kershaw 50 and the younger Garrott 62. In the dying overs Lewis Fitzgerald and Marcus J.E. Baker added to the large total, Baker 25 and Fitzgerald 37 not out. Ward declared at 259 for 5 from 43 overs.
The hosting captain looked liked he fancied his chances at chasing down the total as he made some early runs. But he was put on the back foot when his opening partner Fisher was caught down the leg side by keeper M.J.E. Baker for naught from the bowling of James Hooper (9-1-44-1). The second wicket came about when having struck the ball firmly to mid off, captain Freeman called yes for the most unlikely single as Christian Martin threw the ball Freddie Flintoff style to run out Moorleg. His brother Rupert then had Vijay LBW which was the first of four fantastic wickets including that of Freeman (48), the Sawbo order unable to combat his in-swing, he finished with figures of 4 for 26 from 12. Alan Ward (3-1-13-2) then brought himself on to bowl and had immediate success taking two in two balls. Reed still required two more wickets in the dying overs and with close to every fielder around the bat it was so unfortunate that they could not be taken. Sawbo had done well to hold out for the draw finishing on 154 for 8.
